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She doesn’t explode. She just looks at me like she feels a little sorry for me. I’m feeling pretty sorry for myself. “I just want to say one thing.”
Just one thing? Really? I don’t believe her. I’ve just confessed, under pressure, mind you, that I’ve slept with a woman who works with me. Don’t tell me that will be that, forgotten, never to be discussed again. I don’t even want to think about if the boot was on the other foot. Ava would be chained to our bed and he, whomever he may be, would be crushed.
She falls forward and kisses me lightly. “It’s all about you.”
“It’s all about me,” I repeat, making her smile. So she’ll accept when I propose?
“Good boy.”
I absolutely do not deserve this woman. “I love you, Ava.”
She settles, peaceful, accepting. “I know.”
“Take the day off work tomorrow.” I chew my lip for a moment, thinking. She’s amenable right now. Accepting. Giving?
There’s silence for a moment, while she obviously considers my request. Or demand. “Okay.”
“Really?” Wow. That was surprisingly easy. “You’re being very reasonable. That’s not like you.”
She appears outraged for a split second before she curtails it. “I’m ignoring you.”
“Not for long.” I stand and set her down.Grace.This could have all gone a lot differently, but the way Ava came to findmeand then forgavemefor something in my past shows true grace. Maturity. I’m taking it as a win. Is it a sign? “I’m taking you home toour”—notice the emphasis on ours, lady—“tower in the sky. I’ve not been inside you for way too long. Shall we?” I cock an arm in offer and smile on the inside at her breathless anticipation.Me too, Ava. Me too.
“I fancy a bit of rowing.”
“We’ll row another day, baby. I want to make love.” More love. Endless love.
I guide her through The Manor, mindful of the endless attention, the falling conversations, but not paying attention to it. I return John’s smile when we approach him at the door.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“S’all good.”
I jolt when his big paw meets my back. I want to ask him why he let Ava in, especially knowing Sarah was nursing my wounds. But, really, I don’t need to. He knows, like me, Ava needs to put Sarah in her place. I think she’s made her point.
“Leave your car,” I say, taking her to my Aston and putting her in the passenger seat. “We’ll get it tomorrow.”
Again, she accepts. Sucks to think it takes a major blowup between us, epic meltdowns all round, a smashed elevator, a few crazy episodes of hearing and seeing things to make it happen—but here we are.
The gates up ahead open, clearly by someone else because I’ve not hit the button yet, and when I see Sam’s car, I curse under my breath. His timing is impeccable. Or is it my timing?
“Hey, there’s Kate,” Ava shrieks, swinging around in her seat as they pass, Kate sinking down, awkwardly waving, Sam bold as brass smiling, his thumb up. I shake my head mildly. “What’s she doing here?” Ava asks. I keep my eyes forward. “She’s a member, isn’t she?”
“I don’t discuss members. Confidentiality.”
“So sheisa member?”
I say nothing, ignoring her, seeing the gates closing again, so I hit the button and put my foot down, and as soon as we’re on the main road, I tactically put some music on in case Ava gets a hit of inquisitiveness again.
“Who’s this?”
“John Legend. You like?” She helps herself to the controls and turns it up. “I’ll take that as a yes.” The louder the better. Might drown out my niggling conscience. I find her thigh and squeeze, settling in for the ride.
“Is your hand okay?”
“Fine. Unravel your knickers, lady.”
“I need to text Patrick.”
